Strange Sundays

Well after much needed rehydrating and rest I am back to normal... if thats what you can call me. haha. This week I was reminded of my previous job of teaching English and was a "guest" marker of and English 101 exam. I must say I enjoyed being a Miss Jennifer again! The students were to present their environmental research and then do a Q & A session... the challenge being it had to be all in English with myself and the other intern Alicia. They were late and I noticed their teacher was a little embarrassed because we had been waiting... I didn't mind especially the fact it really is Island culture here and 8 can mean 8:30 and sometimes even 9 or 10! So to make her feel a little better I introduced myself to the class and told them from now on only English must be spoken in the class and to each other... well after a bunch of laughter and a few whines, they had understood what I did and apologized to their teacher and had a giggle fit trying to talk to their friends in broken English. I remember being so frustrated in French class when I couldn't just say what I wanted and I could see the same frustration in them! Anyways they were all dressed up and looked great for their first professional presentation with a native English speaker! Everyone of them did splendid and even when nerves got the best of them they just took a second and continued on like pros! There is no doubt in my mind they will all be successful in their careers!

Our hosts were out of town this week so we haven't been doing much outside of working form home on our projects and just bouncing around the city doing our daily things. Sunday came along and a guest at our pension house, Lynn, was heading to church. I asked if she would mind if I tagged along and she was delighted to take me. On the way she warned me that the service would all be in Tagolog but she will tell me when to stand or kneel and so on. The church was very beautiful! While the service was in another language it was identical to the service at home, right down to collection, so I knew what was going on the whole time. I was just sat there amazed at the amount of people who attend church, it was full and there were people outside as well, and for some reason thought of my mother. I mean I think of her often but this was just a random moment for her to pop in my head... I thought about if she would be proud of my accomplishments or the things I have done in my life... just got all sentimental sitting there in the pew in the middle of a service that was completely foreign yet familiar to me. Then I thought of home and my incredibly awesome family and how fortunate I am to have been born in Canada with all of its privileges. The service ended and I came out of my daze and thanked Lynn for taking me and even joked with her that my Grandmother would be proud of me for going to church on Sunday. Anyways here is where my day gets strange I came back to the pension house and was about to enter my room when I noticed these two tacky photos outside of the shower room and toilet room. I have seen these photos everyday since I have been here but that day I really looked at them for some reason and I cracked up laughing. The two photos are these cheesy photos of grey vases with a pink strip on one of them... just think late 80's early 90's type pictures...anyways these two photos were in my Mom and I's apartment!! I was like well holy (pardon the pun) weird and Mom you had bad taste! hahaha well maybe stylish for the time... I mean the 90s did love big bangs and tacky vases right?

This week we are jetting off to see Nancy and Katie in Iloilo. They are the other two Canadian interns and I am delighted to see them! I can't wait to share our experiences and go on a few adventures! Should be awesome!!!!! Also tonight we are heading out with a previous intern Andrew and a teacher sir Jimmy for food, drinks and of course karaoke!!

Immaculate Conception Church

A few of the English 101 students